02 November 2009

I'm starting to think about where we source the SPOT trackers from. There are 20 readily available in NZ (if booked at least a month out, cost is $65 per week). If we need more than that I need to look offshore (turns out that Scott Morris from Bikepacking.net and Matthew Lee from Tour divide have some demonstration units - might be cheaper).

The upshot is that I'd like to get a feel for how many riders will be starting.

As an incentive to get your name on the start list, we'll dish the cheapest SPOT trackers out to the first people to notify us of their intention to start.Also, given the total number of SPOT trackers available is limited, we might have to cap the event at about 50 riders this first time (not that we're expecting that many fools!).One other thought, if you're under 18 years, probably best to wait a year or two. You'll enjoy it more when you're arse is starting to get hard and crusty.

Please email simon at kennett dot co dot nz if you are likely to be lining up in Blenheim on the 6th of Feb.

There's no entry fee, but you will be expected to sign a waiver (and have a SPOT tracker) before entering the private land north of Lees Valley, and pay your share of the SPOT hire (or turn up with one of your own).

The route

An 1100 and 600 km bicycle brevet around the top of the South Island - with as much off road riding as possible.

Event creator Simon Kennett rode the 4000 km Great Divide in 2008 and decided to replicate the experience in New Zealand. This is the original kiwi brevet that spawned several other brevet throughout the country.